Healthcare Cashplans: reclaim treatment costs Discussion Area

Former_MSE_Andrea

This discussion relates to the

Healthcare Cashplans: Reclaim treatment costs for a few pounds a month Article

To discuss it click reply.

rooo

Thanks Martin, I've been meaning to do this for a while.

I knocked up a quick spreadsheet which totalled my relevant regular bills for the 9 months following the 3 months qualifying period, minus the costs for the scheme over the year. Even as a low user (basic optical and dental) I was in profit. I went with BHSA in the end.

I did notice that Legal and General have a 6 month qualifying period which ruled them out for me. If anyone else notices anything out of the ordinary like this, it would be useful to mention it on this thread.

It might be worth mentioning that HSA although not the most competitive, are offering £35 cashback via Quidco at the moment, which can be factored into your calculations.

roseygrech

are there ANY health care plans that pay out on pre-existing conditions (not terminal) without 2 years wait?

yummymummy79

Just seen the article and it sounds great as I have just had a letter from dentist about new monthly cost which I can't afford.

I think I may be being a bit dense, but I can't get my head round how you actually make money out of the plan. For example, if I join a £12.50 a month plan (£150 a year), go to the dentist 4 times a year between me and OH at say £60 a time. I have to pay out £240 to the dentist, can claim back 70% of the cost each time (up to max of £100 each looking at BHSF Core Plan) which is £42 x 4, so I get back £168. Surely this means that I am down £72 a year as well as having to pay the £150 a year? If you have to send the receipt for the work off as well, you obviously can't alter the cost.

I'm hoping I've got this wrong, can someone clarify!!

MSE_Martin

yummymummy78.

Hiya the key is you make money between the cost of this plan and the return. It's how much better off you are by having the plan than not that counts.

Withouut the plan in your example you have paid out £240.

With the plan you pay out £312 pounds but get back £168 so overall you are £142, in other words nearl £100 better off

yummymummy79

Oooh, a reply from the man himself! *blushes*

Yes, of course Martin you are right, I think I was just looking at it in the wrong way, half-empty rather than half-full as normal, as well as being a bit dense, also as normal!!

It is definitely looking better after a second look, especially as if I have to pay the dentist the monthly fees they are asking for (at least £12.95 a month which doesn't include all work) then I get nothing back at all. Then there's the OH and sproglet's costs to consider as well.

Martin comes up trumps again, how could I ever have doubted you??!! *hangs head in shame*

planenut

Hi, my partner and I are in the Healthsure contract; I am the apathetic one and was amazed at how much she made back from the deal.
Dental reimbursements do not cover the prescriptions that the dentist issues, so that is a cost.
My partner had a spell in hospital, and obviously we worked out the claim from the papers provided by the company.
It was a lovely result when Healthsure added a substantial extra lump, an entitlement we have still not found in the papers.
An excellent deal, and rapidly efficient.
But don't be like me - claim for what you are entitled.

Toothsmith

MSE_Martin wrote:

yummymummy78.

Hiya the key is you make money between the cost of this plan and the return. It's how much better off you are by having the plan than not that counts.

Withouut the plan in your example you have paid out £240.

With the plan you pay out £312 pounds but get back £168 so overall you are £142, in other words nearl £100 better off

Hi Your Moneysavingness

Are you aware that the Cashplan companies get a bit awkward about paying out for other monthly plans?

We can get around it through the Data Protection Act, and Patient Confidentiality.

The companies cannot ask us for details of the patients treatments or details of how they settle our bills. But they can ask the patients permission to 'allow' us to divulge this information.

Do not tell the companies that the way you pay for your dentistry is via a monthly scheme, otherwise they may not pay up.

MSE_Martin

APOLOGIES!

Sorry I hadn't read that you were paying out in a monthly scheme - I scan read and saw only the cost of dentistry. I would be VERY careful about joining a scheme to pay for a monthly dental plan as most will exclude it. Thanks you toothsmith for spotting this

martin

littletreeshaker

Hello, I hope someone can help me out

I'm thinking of taking this out but I'm not sure on one thing. My partner wears glasses, will the cost of these be covered or does that count as a pre-existing medical condition?

Katykat

I think the knack is ( as Martin says on his email this week) that you have to remember to claim. Its not just about Dentist fees, you can also claim other healthcare costs, which even an average user of services will agree can be quite high. Yes, OK we do get free at source physio and other affiliated services, but very often there is a lengthy waiting time. How nice it would be to arrange a private consultation and get a full or partial refund of the costs. I'm about to take one of these plans out, and research shows me that Foresters is suitable for me. And I'm an NHS nurse!!!!.